Lucchese crime family

The Lucchese crime family is one of the Five Families of the New York American Mafia, founded in the early 1920s by Gaetano Reina. The family was peaceful from the 1930s to the 1950s under Tommy Gagliano, and the family operated in The Bronx, Manhattan, and New Jersey. In 1951, Tommy Lucchese became boss of the family, and it became one of the strongest families on the Commission, allying with the Gambino crime family to control New York City's crime. In 1978, the family stole $6,000,000 worth of cash and jewelry from the Lufthansa depot at JFK International Airport, and Don Victor Amuso and underboss Anthony Casso had several family enemies murdered from 1986 to 1991. Many Lucchese made men turned informant, leading to the entire hierarchy, as well as half of its members, being arrested. In 2004, the family had up to 140 made members and over 1,000 associates.